Date published: 2026-04-16 | Category: Heritage
Norman Ackroyd: The Transience of Light
22 May - 6 September 2026 / A New Exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath
Norman Ackroyd: The Transience of Light, the first posthumous exhibition dedicated to the acclaimed printmaker’s work, will open at Victoria Art Gallery in Bath on 22 May. Bringing together more than five decades of etchings, the exhibition celebrates one of Britain’s most distinguished landscape artists and his lifelong commitment to capturing the ever‑changing qualities of natural light.
Norman Ackroyd CBE RA (1938-2024) is widely recognised for his atmospheric depictions of the British Isles’ cliffs, shorelines and remote coasts. The Transience of Light traces his enduring fascination with the play of light across landscape and sea - from the soft tonal shifts of his early prints to the bold contrasts, misted skies and luminous horizons that characterised his later work. His ability to distil the essence of place, often discovered on fearless journeys by boat to the far edges of the Atlantic, remains unmatched.
The Transience of Light is co-curated by Victoria Art Gallery’s Senior Curator Nathalie Levi and Ackroyd’s studio manager and family. Their insight, together with material newly drawn from the archive, has helped create an exhibition that offers a rare and personal view of Ackroyd’s practice and the evolution of his visual language.
The exhibition was developed during visits to Ackroyd’s Bermondsey studio -formerly a tannery and long a creative sanctuary filled with printing presses, archives and workspaces. Nathalie Levi recalls: “The studio is a world unto itself, saturated with ink and stories. To be invited into that environment, and to work with the people who knew Norman best, was a privilege. Their generosity and insight underpin every part of this exhibition.”
The exhibition will feature etchings spanning five decades, from the 1980s to some of Ackroyd’s final works. Alongside his celebrated seascapes, it will also highlight the breadth of his subjects, including landscapes, city views, interiors, studies of trees and sweeping skylines.
As the first museum exhibition of Ackroyd’s work since his death, it marks an important moment for Victoria Art Gallery and for Bath, chosen by the artist’s family and studio as the setting in which to share this significant body of work.
Nathalie Levi, Senior Curator, Victoria Art Gallery, said:
“This exhibition honours Norman Ackroyd’s mastery of etching and his profound relationship with light. The way light moved across water set Norman on the path to becoming an artist, and it remained his constant subject - and his constant challenge - throughout his life. Working alongside his family and studio has allowed us to shape an exhibition that reflects not only his artistic achievements but also the curiosity, rigour and spirit of adventure that defined him.”
Alongside the exhibition, Victoria Art Gallery has collaborated with the artist’s studio to produce a new illustrated catalogue. The publication includes an introduction by Nathalie Levi and essay by Sir Christopher Frayling, offering fresh reflections on Ackroyd’s journeys around the British coastline and the creative impulses that shaped his work. A limited number of editioned prints will also be available for sale in a free to visit section of the exhibition.
Cllr Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic & Cultural Sustainable Development, Bath & North East Somerset Council, said:
“We are honoured that Norman Ackroyd’s family and studio chose Victoria Art Gallery as the partner for this first posthumous exhibition. Ackroyd’s work has inspired generations, and bringing this remarkable collection to Bath is both a privilege and a cultural milestone for the city. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country to experience the power and beauty of his art.”
A dedicated family area, designed in the form of a sailing boat, will invite young visitors to get hands-on and create their own artworks inspired by Ackroyd’s seascapes. Family trails will guide visitors of all ages through the exhibition, encouraging them to discover Ackroyd’s prints together.
Norman Ackroyd: The Transience of Light opens on 22 May 2026 and runs until 6 September at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath.
Tickets are £9 for adults, with concessions available.
For updates and booking information, visit: www.victoriagal.org.uk
Free guided tours (with exhibition ticket) will take place every Thursday.